Electrical device and the manufacture thereof



June 1o, 1930. J H, @CHEN 1,763,343

ELECTRICAL DEVICE AND THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF Filed Oct. 50, 1924 INVENTR JOSEPH H. COHEN BYm ATTORNEY Patented June l0, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH H. COHEN, F BBTDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT ELECTRICAL DEVICE .AND THE MANUFACTURE THEREOI' Application led October 30, 1924. Serial No. 746,914.

v vice, such as a cigar igniting unit, lamp, etc.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the kind specified which is simple in construction and operation, durable, and fool-proof in use.

Another object is to improve the method of manufacturing such devices and the construction of their component parts so that the cost of manufacturing and assembling such parts will be substantially reduced.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, which show one form of the present invention, that at present preferred, f

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View showing the device of the present invention assembled, a cigar igniting unit being shown in operative position in the device.

Fig. 2 is a disassembled perspective view\ of the component parts of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the exterior of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in section, of the housing of the device shown in Fig. 1, and showing a lamp mounted in operative position on the housing.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the housing and certain other parts of the device shown in Fig. l, in the positions which they assume during their assembly, showing also means for facilitating the assembling operation. .10 In the accompanying drawings, the device is shown as a cigar lighter optionally serving as a trobule-lamp holder, and it is particularly adapted for useon motor vehicles.

The device is adapted to be held by the hand of the user while the cigar or other smoking article is being ignited, or in directing the light. of the lamp when used for lighting' purposes. But, it should be understood, that the invention is not limited in all of its aspects to a device having such combined use or in fact to a device operating solely tor either of the uses mentioned.

The device of the present invention, as illustrate'd in the accompanying drawings, comprises a handle portion 11 in the form of l a tubular housing 12 having an end wall 13 provided with an aperture 14 through which the current-supplying Wires 15 pass to the interior of the handle, between which and a suitable source of current a substantial length of wire is provided, to render the device portable.

The top ortion of the tubular housing 12` is preferab y provided with screw-threads 16 adapted to be engaged by a screw-threaded $5 cap 17 which constitutes the forward end of the device. If desired, the connection between the cap 17 and the housing 12 may be of the pin-and-slot type, such as a bayonet joint, Abut to prevent the parts becomin easily disconnected in handling, itA is pre erable that the connection be more ositive such as is here obtained by the use o screwthreads.

According to this invention, the cap17 75 may confine in the device, an electric translating unit 18 which is supplied with current from the Wires 15 throug contacts mounted in the housing, which contacts will be hereinafter described. 80

This translating unit 18, in the form shown in Fig. 1 is a cigar igniter and preferably comprises a body 19 of lava or other refractory and insulating material having a Irecessed front end 20 containing a spirally 85 Wound, high resistance wire 21 which yis eX- posed so that it may be'brought 1nto Contact with the end of a cigar or other smokers article which it is desired to light. The ends of the wire 21 are carried through longitu- 90 dinal passages 22 in the body 19 to Contact terminals provided thereon. lOne of the Wires is centrally located and is fixed to a terminal 23 upon a boss 24 at the bottom of the body, and the other end of the Wire is fixed to a metallic ferrule 25 secured to a relatively wide rib 26 on the body by the operation of beading-over the ends of the ferrule at both edges of the rib.

l Above the ferrule 25,the body 19 has a portion made suiciently wide to fit well within the cap 17 so that when the parts are assembled, the ferrule 25 is spaced and electrically insulated from the housing 12 into which it extends. The parts of the unit adapted to carry current are insulated from the cap 17 because of the engagement t-herewith of only the non-conducting lava portion of the body 19.

The top 26 of the body 19 is reduced in diameter so as to pass through an opening 27 in the cap while the shoulder 28 formed by the reduced end 26 is engaged by an inwardly extending flange 29 on the cap 17. By. this arrangement the cap 17 securely holds the igniting unit in the device against outward movement and properly locates it with relation to its other cooperating parts.

In the form shown, the central contact 31 'comprises a pin 33 mounted in a barrel 34 containing a spring 35 tending normally to press the pin 33 against the contact 23 on the translating unit 18 when the latter is in place in the housing 12. Movement of the pin 33 outwardly of the barrel 34 is prevented by the positive engagement of the head 36 of the pin with a iiange 37 which is beaded-over in the operation of assembling the pin 33, spring 35 and the barrel 34. The barrel is shaped to it into an opening 38 in the lava cylinder 30 and has a circumferential shoulder resting upon the top of the cylinder 30. It is against this shoulder that the pressure of the spring 35 reacts when the spring is compressed by engagement of the pin 33 with the Contact 23 of the translating unit.

One of the current-supplying wires 15 is soldered or otherwise secured to the barrel 34, as shown in Fig. 1 so that the current passes to the translating unit contact 23 through the barrel 34 and pin 33. The pin 33 being spring-pressed will operatively engage thecontact of any translating unit intended for the device irrespective of the usual variations in the manufacture of the different parts.

In the assembled device, the Contact 32 is rictionally held between the wall of the housing 12 and a metal shell 40 closely fitting the cylinder 30. The shell 40 has an end 41 engaging the bottom of the cylinderBO and to which the end ofthe other wire 15 is soldered or otherwise secured, as shown in Fig. 1. The end 41 is provided with a central aperture 42 suiiiciently large to allow the barrel 34 of the contact 31 to extend beyond the opening 38 oi the cylinder without danger of the shell contacting with the barrel 34.1;

If desired, the cont-act 32 and the shell 40 may be insulated from the housing 12, but when there is no objection to having one of the wires grounded on the device, it is preferable that the parts be provided as shown and above described.

Should an extraneous switch be provided to control the o'w of current through the translating unit, the contact32 may be caused normally to engage the ferrule 25 on the translating unit to normally make the circuit. But, in order that the circuit through the igniting unit may be closed by the hand of the user holding the device, it is preferable that the contact 32'be arranged normally to be out of engagement with the ferrule 25 and to be manually movable into engagement therewith when desired. Hence, the contact 32 preferably is made in the form of a leaf spring. It may be provided with a fingerbutton 43 having a shank 44 which passes through an opening 45 in the side of the housing 12 and which is riveted to the contact 32. When the button 43 is pressed inwardly, the contact 32 is broughtinto engagement with the ferrule 25 and this closes the circuit through the translating unit 18.

In order that the spring contact 32 may not be distorted by thoughtless operation of the button 43 while the translating unit 18 is out of the device, the button 43 is so disposed on the shank 44 that its inward movement is limited by engagement of the button 43 with the housing. This keeps the flexing movements of the contact to those within its elastic' limits, and thus insures that the contact will always retain its proper tension and return to inoperative position when the button y43 is released.

It should be noted that because of the described arrangement of the contacts 23 and 25, and 31 and 32 respectively, it is not necessary to place the heating unit in the housing in any particular angular position with re spect thereto, but that the contacts 31 and 32 are universal to all positions of the translating unit 18.

In assembling the device, the heating unit 18 and the contact 3l are separately assembled. The wires 15 are then threaded through the opening 14 in the bottom of the housing 12 and are extended outwardly through its open end. Then the free ends of the wires are knotted allowing only short lengths to extend beyond the knot. The contact 31 is then placed in the hole 38 of the body 30 and this unit is then placed within the metal shell 40. After an insulating collar 46 is placed over the end of one of the wires, that wire is soldered or otherwise secured to the barrel 34 of the contact 31. The other wire 15 is then secured or soldered to the metal shell 40, the knot being then adjusted so that only relatively short lengths of wire extend between it and the shell 40 and contact 31. The housing l2 is then placed in a socket 48 ina block 49, after which the movable contact 32 is placed in the housing 12 so that its lower end 50 engages a shoulder 51 in the housing. After this has been done, the shell 40 with its assembled parts is placed at the open-end of the housing 12 in the posi tion shown in Fig. 6. The shell 40 will not lll) freely enter the housing because it is made to tightly fit the same and also because of the location of the contact 32 bet-Ween the shell and the wall ofthe housing. To force the shell 40 and assembled parts into the housingl` a ramming tool 52, which is counter-bored at 53 to accommodate the end of the pin 33, is brought to bear upon the top of the lava cylinder 30, and by the application of sufficlent force,/the ramming tool 52 forces the shell 40 and its assembled part downwardly into the housing until the bottom edge of the shell rests against the shoulder 5l in the housing. During this operation, the wires 15 are drawn downwardly through the opening 14 in the housing 12 so that the knot 46 e11- gages the bottom 13 of the housing and allows portions of the wire between the knot and the soldered connections with the contact to be slack, so that any strain on the ywires 15 beyond the housing will not be transmitted to the soldered connections, but will be absorbed bythe knot pressing against the end wall 13 of the housing.

The translating element 18 is put in the housing and then the cap 17 is screwed in place, after which operation, the device is completely assembled.

It should be noted that with the exception of the screw-threaded connection between the cap 17 and the body 12 which connection is provided for the purpose of allowing the translating unit 18 to be removed from thedevice, there are no screw-threaded connections of any kind in the device. Yet, when the device is assembled, all of its parts are securely held in place and properly function. ...lo

In addition to being shaped or adapted to receive and hold a cigar-igniting unit of thev kind specied, the housing 12 may also be adapted, according to this invention, to receive and hold a. standard automobile lamp, or other translating unit having a pin-andslot attachment arrangement. In such case. the housing 12 is provided at its o en-end with a pair of angular slots 100 of the ayonet type, tobe engaged by the usual pins 101 on a base 102 of a lamp or other translating device.

When it is desired to use the device as a trouble lamp, for instance, the cap 17 and the igniting unit 18 is removed so as to expose the end of the housing 12. Then the base 102 may be placed in the open-end of the housing with the pins 101 locked in the slots 102 which are placed in the housing for this express purpose. When in position in the housing, the supply current passes through the contact 33 to the central contact 103 on the base 102, then through the lamp filament or other current consuming means, then through the base 102 to the housing 12 which, as above described, is in electrical en gagement with the metal shell 40 to which the other wire 15 is attached.

The switch, comprising the movable contact 32, according to this arrangement does not function when the lamp base is in operiative position, nor is it desired that the switch should function vunder these conditions. This is for the reason that when the device is used as a trouble or other lamp it is usually desirable that lthe lamp operate continuously, and that the user be able, without rendering the lamp inoperative, to place the device and lamp in a suitable position and use both hands for other purposes.

By the arrangement of parts and their construction, as above described, the device may be economically manufactured and will be eiicient and durable in use.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Vhat is claimed as new and for which it is desired to obtain Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a housing for supporting translating units; means on the housing for holding therein a translating unit of one kind; and separate means on t-he housing for holding therein interchangeably with and in the same place adapted to be occupied by a translating unit of the said one kind, a translating unit of another kind.

2. In combination, a housing for supporting translating units, and adapted to receive a translating unit of one kind having a plain connection with the housing; means removably mounted on the housing for holdin the said translating unit in the housing; an separate holding means on the housing for holding therein interchangeably with a translating unit of the said one kind and in the same place adapted to be occupied thereby, a translating unit of another kind having through said means a locking connection with the housing.

3. In combination, a housing for supportingtranslating units and adapted to receive a translating unit of one kind having a plain connection with the housing; a cap for the housing and adapted to hold therein a translating unit of the said one kind; and means comprising angular-slot portions on the housing for holding therein. interchangeably with a translating unit of the said one kind and in the same place adapted to be occupied thereby, a translating unit having pins engaging saidimeans to forni a locking connection with said housing.

4. An electric cigar-igniting device, comprising a housing; a removable igniting unlt mounted in the housing and normally 1n openircuit relation therewith; manually operable means on the housing adapted to close an electric circuit to said igniting unit; and lampholding means on the housing adapted to is removed, said means normally causing a circuit to be closed through said lamp-base and independently of said switch.

6. An electric cigar-igniting device, comprising a housing connected to a source of current-supply; a removable igniting unit mounted on the housing, said unit being insulated from the housing; a contact adapted to be manually controlled to electrically connect the housing and the igniting unit, when it is desired to render the igniting unit operative; and means on the housing in electrical contact therewith adapted to receive and electrically contact with a lamp-base placed in the housing in the positions occupied by the igniting unit when the igniting unit is removed therefrom.

7. ln combination, a hollow cylindrical housing; a block of insulating material mounted within the housing; a metallic shell encircling said block of insulating material and electrically connected to a conductor; and a spring-contact in electrical engagement with said metallic shell and wedged between the metallic shell and the housing.

8. A receptacle for translating units com prising a hollow cylindrical housing; a block holder and the resistance element when it is desired'to render the igniting unit operative.

11. An electric cigar-igniting devlce, comprising a holder connected to a source of current-supply; an igniting unit including a resistance element and su port therefor removably mounted on the older, said resistance element being insulated from the part ofthe holder on which it is mounted; a center contact on the holder and a center contact on theigniting unit connected to the resistance element and adapted to make electrical engagement when the igniting unit is mounted onthe holder; and means including a contact adapted to be manually controlled to electrically connect'the holder and the resistance element when it is desired to render the igniting unit operative.

Si ed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fair eld, and State of Connecticut, this 29th day of October, 1924.

JOSEPH H. COHEN.

of insulating material; and a metallic shell l, surrounding said block; said block and shell together being adapted to snugly tit within the hollow cylindrical housing to be frictionally held therein.

9. ln combination, a hollow cylindrical housing; a block of insulating material mounted within the housing; a metallic shell encircling said block of insulating material and in electrical engagement with the housing, said shell having a portion accessible to be soldered to a conductor; and a springcontact mounted in a central opening provided in the block of insulating material and electrically insulated from the said metallic shell, said spring-contact being adapted to be connected to another conductor.

10. An electric cigar-igniting device, comprising a holder connected to a source of current-supply; an igniting unit including a resistance element and support therefor removably mounted on the holder, said resistance element being insulated from the part of the holder on which it is mounted; and means including a contact adapted to bemanually controlled to electrically connect the 

